The cold night air brushed against Alistair's face as he ran through the land on all four limbs. He had to stop several times along the way to fight or sneak around the monsters. They were always more active and numerous during the night.
A group of slimes blocked his path forward. The weakest of monsters known to exist. "Tch. Out of my way, weaklings! Flames gather before me now and pierce my targets! Multi Flame Lance!" Six spears made of flames appeared in front of Alistair and each one flew to a different target. Their screams were quickly silenced as they evaporated from the heat.
Ding! 6x Slimes Defeated! +600 Experience!
Ding! Level Up! Alistair advances to level 2!
Experience Needed To Level 3: 300/1,200
Acquired 5 Stat Increases. Selection Required.
Acquired 3x Slime Ooze
Several notifications appeared but Alistair swiped them away for now. 'I don't have time to deal with all that.' He took off running again after obliterating the slime monsters.
After about an hour of running, Alistair neared the rendezvous point with the Dire Wolves he had befriended. Before he could arrive, he was ambushed by three humans clad in black cloaks. "We were starting to think you weren't going to show. We've been sent to stall you while our boss teaches your little woman a thing or two." One of them snickered under his breath. "He likes to get rough so she might not be pretty anymore by the time you reach her." He snickered again and looked at Alistair. "Why are you just standing there? Don't you care about that woman?"
"Where are you looking?" Alistair whispered from behind the would be assassin's back. Arondight was pushed firmly against his neck. "How many underlings does your boss have?"
"Like hell I'd tell you! What are you two idiots doing? Murder this dumbass!" He looked to either side at his subordinates. "Why are you--!" His voice faded when they both fell into tiny little chunks of meat. "Who...the hell are you?" The man started trembling in fear.
"How many more?!" Alistair pressed the blade to his neck, blood flowed from the nick created by the pressure.
"Go-go to hell!" He yelled and then a scream pierced the night. The assassin fell to the ground and one of his legs laid near his head. "W-what?"
"Answer or I'll cut you to pieces, nice and slow!" Alistair growled loudly, his eyes turning red from rage.
"D-Don't..." The man pissed himself and the smell of urine hung heavy in the air. "Oh, god please don't kill me! I-I'll talk! I swear I'll talk! He's got six other men a-and at least two more hiding from you when you get there! That's the truth I swear! Oh god please don't kill me!" The man started crying loudly.
"If you didn't want to die you should have thought about that before tonight." Alistair lifted the great sword high into the air and brought it down quickly, lopping off his neck in one swipe.
Ding! 3x Human Assassins killed. +1,200 Experience!
Ding! Level Up! Alistair advances to level 3!
Experience Needed To Level 4: 300/2,100
Acquired 6 stat increases! Total of 11 Unused Stat Points! Selection Required!
Acquired set of Assassin Robes x1!
Acquired Vial of Poison x3!
'More Status Screens? Annoying.' He swiped them away again for the moment but made a mental note to use them before he arrived to save Tamanari.
A low, soft howl echoed from the nearby rocks and Alistair gave a reply when he howled back. Five direwolves appeared out of the darkness, the alpha coming up behind the pack. "It is good to see you well, brother. You have need of us? What is troubling you?" The Alpha questioned as he could taste Alistair's anger.
"They took a woman who has become important to me. I need help retrieving her. Can you assist me?" Alistair bowed his head and lowered his ears to the Alpha.
"That is not necessary. We will gladly assist you in retrieving your mate. We owe a debt that is not easily repaid, but this will put us close. What do you know?"
'My..mate?' He shook his head and let it go for now. Alistair explained everything to the Alpha about how many there were and possible weapons they could be wielding. He described Tamanari's appearance so they knew who to protect. While the wolves discussed things amongst themselves, Alistair pulled up his Status Screen to use his points. 'I have 11 which means I can increase 11 stats.' He pondered over what he should upgrade before coming to a decision.
Alistair - Level 3 Knight Sorcerer
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Health: 3,000 + 600 (-2 S.P) 3,600
Mana: 1,650 + 60 (-3 S.P) 1,710
Strength: 550 + 150 (-3 S.P) 700
Constitution; 400 + 120 (-3 S.P) 520
Dexterity: 225
Intelligence: 425
Wisdom: 375
Charisma: 450
-----------------
'That should do it.' He closed his status screen and looked up to see that his friends had returned. "Okay. Is everything good?"
"Yes. We have come to understand the situation. I suppose you already have a plan?" He eyed Alistair up and down and laughed. "I knew following you would lead to something interesting. Tell us." They all sat down while Alistair explained the plan to them.
Near the lake Tamanari finally woke up and found herself outside. Alistair was nowhere to be seen. She tried to move but her arms were tied to a tree above her head. 'Where...am I? Why does my head feel groggy?' She tried to look around but her eyes were still adjusting to the dark.
"Well, well. Seems our princess finally woke up." A thick, heavy accent reached her ears. "She's pretty tough for a demi-human lover."
"Well, it ain't like a demi human can satisfy her. It would take a real man. If he don't show up soon, I might teach her meself." A man strolled over and the other guys made room.
"B-boss!"
"Yer a cute one. Shame you have your heart set on a slave." He walked up and put his sword to her throat. "I'll treat ya good if you beg."
"Go fornicate with yourself!" Her words were venom as she spit at him.
He cackled and sliced his sword down her shirt, revealing her bra and bare stomach. "Lookie, lookie." He crouched down and ran his hand up her stomach.
"Stop! Don't touch me!" She leaned down and bit into his finger, sinking her teeth in until she hit bone.
"Ow! Let go you stupid whore!" He hit her upside her head but she just bit down harder, blood flowed down his hand. He went to hit her again but a hand shot out and grabbed his wrist tightly. "What the hell?" He looked back to see one of his robed scouts. "What do you think you're doing, boy?" He looked at his robed subordinate. "You going to let go?"
"Alistair..." Tamanari whimpered and cried for the man who had stolen her heart.
The robed man ignored the boss and reached his free hand down to the crying woman.
"N-no...don't touch me..." Tamanari flinched when the other man's hand touched her cheek but nothing happened. 'Wait...'
The new man who had showed up and placed his hand on her cheek was being gentle.
'It...it's Alistair!' She placed her hand over his and held it to her cheek tightly. "You came for me, love. You really came.." She sobbed quietly into his hand. 'I can feel his...anger. He's burning with hatred..'
"I would never leave you to these scum." Alistair twisted the boss's arm tightly and a loud crack filled in the silence.
"Ooooowwwww! What the fuck?! What are you goons doing?! Help me!!" He barked out an order but no response reached him. "W-what-" He looked back and his eyes went wide in shock. "D-dead...?"
"That's right!" Alistair removed his hand from Tamanari's cheek and slid the hood backwards away from his face. "But don't worry. You'll be joining them soon. After you suffer!" Alistair dragged him away kicking and screaming.
"No! No! Please stop! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't kill me!" The grown man started crying loudly. The man who had been so strong when picking on a woman, turned into a bawling baby.
"Apologies will get you nowhere. I saw what you were about to do to my woman!" Alistair growled and threw him against a nearby tree. "I'm going to enjoy watching you die." He raised his hand high in the air. "Flames gather before me now and pierce my target! Flame Lance!" A flaming spear shot from his hand and pinned his arm to the tree. "Again! Flame Lance!" Another spear pierced and pinned his other arm. "Scream and beg all you want. You'll burn to death slowly either way. Once more! Flame Lance!" A third spear shot through his stomach and he started to slowly burn like a smokehouse.
"Ahhhh!" He screamed for over ten minutes until the flames consumed him, body and all.
"Ali...stair..." Tamanari watched in horror as the man she had come to love burned another man alive. "I can't...hate him. I-I wanted him to kill that man..."
Alistair walked slowly back to Tamanari's side, shedding the robes he had stolen. "Tama..nari..
" He saw the look in her eyes and froze. 'She..she's terrified of me now...' He stopped in place and went to leave. "Just forget about me..." He started walking away slowly, the crackling fire the only sound between them.
Tamanari watched him start to leave. 'He...I hurt him. That look I...wait...' She stood up slowly. "A-list..." She started walking after him. "Wait..."
Alistair stopped again and turned to look back at her, tears in his eyes.
"Alistair!" She ran towards him, her arms stretched out towards him. She had tears in her own eyes.
"Tamanari...don't..." Despite his protest, Alistair found his body moving on its own. He opened his arms and scooped Tamanari up in his arms.
"Alistair...Alistair I have to say this..." She sobbed into his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What, Tamanari...?" He held her tight against his chest. 'I think I know...because I want to say it to you, too...'
"Alistair, I--" She looked into his eyes and smiled happily. "I love you, Alistair!" She leaned up and pressed her lips to his, kissing him lovingly.
Alistair's face lit up and he returned her kiss as they got lost in each other's eyes. Tamanari finally pulled away and traced his lips with her fingers. "I love you, Alistair." She whispered it this time and looked down. 'I've never felt this way before. He makes me feel safe.'
"Tamanari..." He kissed the fingers that were tracing his lips when she looked down. He grabbed her chin gently and lifted her face to meet his deep purple gaze. "I love you." He kissed her lips this time and held her close. 'She is so different. Her eyes are kind. She doesn't look at me like I'm worthless.'
'He...he loves me! He loves me!' She sobbed happily into the kiss and pressed herself against him. She broke the kiss and rubbed her nose gently against his and sighed happily. "You mean that...?"
"Of course I do, silly woman. From the bottom of my heart." He nuzzled his nose against hers and gazed into her eyes. "Does this mean that...?"
"Yes. I am yours, just as you are now mine, but..." She sighed and looked away. "We can't tell anybody for now. God only knows what father or even mother would do to me or you or both of us." She looked up to meet his gaze. "It will be difficult, but I want to be with you, Alistair. My heart belongs to you." She kissed the tip of his nose gently.
"The same applies to you, Tamanari. My heart is yours." He chuckled softly when she kissed his nose. "What now? What do couples do?" He asked and scratched his cheek shyly.
"Well, they go on dates, hold hands, kiss, spend time with each other and..." She trailed off and looked away shyly.
"Hm? And what?" Alistair was curious to know what else couples did together.
She leaned up on her tippy toes and whispered in his ear. "Sleep together, and they also make love..." She pulled back slowly and avoided eye contact.
'Does she mean sex...? I'm assuming she doesn't mean what her mother does to me.' He shivered at the thought of her. 'But if it's Tamanari I...I think I could...' He kissed her nose and smiled softly. "Then please bare with me as I learn how to treat you well."
"Just keep being you, my sweet wolf." She looked behind Alistair and saw a pack of direwolves. She held him close and froze. "Alistair..."
"It's okay. They are my friends. They helped me save you. Thank you, Alpha." Alistair bowed his head.
The Alpha walked up behind them and laughed loudly. "What a beautiful mate. She will bare you a strong child someday. I'm happy we could reunite you two. We have to leave once more. We will answer your call again. Protect her with your life, brother." The Alpha bowed and left with his pack following after him.
"Did he say..." Alistair looked back at Tamanari and his face lit up again.
"That I would bare you a strong child. Yes, that's what he said." She blushed and looked away shyly. "I'm not opposed to the idea of giving birth to your child, but.."
"Yeah, that's a conversation for the future." He nodded and looked up at the night sky, the stars twinkled beautifully above them. "The sun will rise soon, sweet Tamanari. I have to get you back...and..." He looked down at her ripped shirt and frowned. "I'm sorry..." He grabbed the ends of her ripped shirt and brought them together. "Mini Flame Lance." He burned the two ripped parts together.
"This wasn't your fault. You saved me before anything bad happened. I knew you would come for me. That's the only thought that kept me going." She laid her head on his chest. "Protect me like this. Always."
"I promise. I will keep you safe and by my side." He kissed the top of forehead gently.
"Well, I hate to break up this touching reunion." A voice sounded out near them. "Uh-hem." The voice tried to clear it's throat. "Forgive me. I haven't used my voice in such a long time. Just let me get used to speaking once more."
Alistair turned around and raised his blade, but nobody was around them. "Who's there? Show yourself."
"Sadly I am not quite strong enough yet to reveal myself to you. If you want to look at something while we speak, just look down at your hand." The voice changed from feminine to masculine and back again.
Alistair couldn't decipher the gender of the speaker. He looked down at his hand and the blade vibrated every time he heard the voice speak to them. "You can't be...serious...?" He looked at the blade in his hand. "You're Arondight? And you can talk? If you can talk, how come you were stuck in that armory?" Alistair looked to Tamanari and she shrugged.
"That's because to any ordinary person, I don't exist as anything special. I appear as a normal, everyday blade. You could see me for what I am, which proved your strength to me. I chose you as my new Master and Partner. It's nice to meet you, Alistair." The blade laughed happily in his hand before going quiet.
"Looks like you might have a new friend, Alistair. Do you have some place to hide it? I'm certain they won't let you hold onto it while you aren't working." She looked at the massive great sword in his hand. "It's huge. I'm not sure what to do."
"I've got a place for it. Come forth that which devours my will." A magic circle appeared in front of him and the brown chest once again appeared and opened in front of him. "Sorry Arondight. For now, you have to stay hidden." He laid the great sword into the chest and it closed slowly.
"I understand, Partner. I peeked into your memories without permission. Please forgive me. I just wanted to learn more about my partner. Please stay safe, and call on me whenever. I will come to your side wherever you are." The chest closed as Arondight finished speaking and slowly faded into the ground.
"Hm. I wonder if I should count myself lucky or cursed to have been chosen by that blade." Alistair watched the chest descend into the ground. He looked at Tamanari and blushed. "Could you...say it one more time?" Alistair turned his face away shyly. 'Mother was the only person to ever say that to me. It feels...nice...to hear again.'
"Hm? Say what?" Tamanari looked up at her handsome wolf companion. 'I know what he wants, I just want to tease him a bit.' She chuckled softly as he stumbled over his words.
"You...you know. What you said earlier...when you kissed me..." He closed his eyes, his tail wagging back and forth rapidly.
"I know. I want you to say it first this time." She playfully stuck her tongue out at him and giggled.
"O-Oh really?" He looked down at the ground and scratched his cheek with his finger. "I love you, Tamanari."
"I love you, Alistair."